After exploring Venice and its winding canals, you will continue to chic Opatija. Stop at Postojna Cave, a home to proteus or olm, an endangered species of salamander. Take a scenic train ride into the belly of the cave, 115m underground, and admire stalactites and stalagmites. Visit Vivarium Proteus, where olm offspring successfully hatched in 2016, giving hope for survival of the species. Visit Predjama Castle. This Renaissance castle, built within a cave mouth, which can be visited during certain months of the year.

Explore the Istrian countryside, known for its hilltop Medieval villages, wine and truffles. Your private guide will give you a guided tour of the pretty hilltop towns of Motovun and Groznjan before continuing on to one of the highlights of this trip, Rovinj. Explore this beautiful Old Town full of Croatian and Italian influence with cobbled streets and pretty seaside cafes. Finish the day with a wine tasting tour at a highly sought after winery before returning to Opatija. Speak to your Croatia travel expert about upgrading this trip to include a truffle hunting experience with a renowned local family.

Leave the beautiful Istrian peninsula behind to make your way to Plitvice Lakes National Park. This stunning conservation area is one of those bucket-list places and you will spend a day exploring it. It consists of 16 interlinked lakes and magnificent waterfalls, connected via wooden pathways. Plitvice is more than waterfalls and lakes: it’s a haven for flora and fauna.
Explore the National Park by walking the pathways to get close to waterfalls and crystal-clear water of the lakes, enjoying a tranquil boat ride across the lake or riding on a scenic train, admiring the lush forest.

Head towards Split, stopping for lunch at an authentic local restaurant, serving delicious delicacies. Upon arrival in Split, explore Diocletian’s Palace, an eclectic combination of Roman temples, Gothic palaces and modern Mediterranean-style stone houses. You’ll love exploring the Palace and the underground cellars, which feature in the ‘Game of Thrones’ show. Walk the cobbled streets of the Old Town, infused with history, full of bustling cafes and restaurants and unusual specialist shops. Don’t miss Riva, Split’s palm tree-lined promenade, perfect for a refreshing drink in the sunshine. Why not take a climb up Marjan hill for a stunning panoramic view?

One of our new luxury ships will be docked in Split harbour, where you can board throughout the day. Once you have checked in, you can relax in your luxury cabin before attending the Welcome Meeting at 7pm with dinner being served at 7.30pm. The Cruise Director will introduce you to the Captain and crew and you will also meet with your fellow passengers.

We cruise towards Bol, where you can enjoy swimming and sunbathing on the beautiful Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) beach. We will cruise towards the beautiful island of Hvar, with a swim stop in a one of the many magnificent coves and bays in the area. Hvar has become known as the meeting place for the international jet set and is a wonderful island-hopping destination. Join the local guide who will introduce you to the history, culture and way of life on the island. Don’t miss Riva, Split’s palm tree-lined promenade, perfect for drinks in the sun.

We depart for the island of Korčula with a swim stop leaving you feeling relaxed and ready for an afternoon trip into Korčula town. Korčula is the birthplace of the famous explorer Marco Polo and boasts many historical places of interest that you can visit and explore. Our knowledgeable tour guide will take you on a city tour, that includes a comfortable stroll through some of the town’s quaint and charming narrow and cobbled streets. The evening is free, so you can make plans to dine at one of the local restaurants, where you can enjoy authentic Croatian hospitality.

We will have ample time to enjoy the scenic delights of the Elaphite islands before reaching Dubrovnik. Our guide will take you on a panoramic drive with incredible photo opportunities. The famous city of Dubrovnik is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and your guide is on hand to show you many of the most popular historical and cultural attractions. Visit the ancient City Walls and take the cable car ride to the top of the Mount Srđ for the best views.

We cruise on to the coastline of the magnificent Elaphiti islands archipelago, situated to the northwest of Dubrovnik. There is a swim stop before lunch is served on board. On arrival at Mljet National Park, you have a time to explore the stunning park and famous salt lakes. The Islet of St. Mary, with its Benedictine Monastery dating back to the 12th century, is worth a visit if you appreciate history, heritage and culture.

Continue towards Pučišća and enjoy a refreshing swim stop and gourmet lunch on board. Pučišća is a charming and picturesque town situated on the island of Brač. It is positioned in the steep-sided natural harbour and boasts authentic Mediterranean architecture. Stone excavated at Pučišća Quarry was used to build the distinctive limestone columns of the White House in Washington DC, the Parliament house in Vienna and many other famous buildings. The only Stonemasonry school in Croatia can be found in Pučišća. Here students carve sculptures from Brač limestone using traditional tools.

Sail across the Brač channel to the ancient town of Omiš. This historical town boasts impressive ancient city walls, fortresses and stone churches that are located at the delta of Cetina River. We continue sailing towards Split which is over 1,700 years old and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. The most famous cultural buildings are located inside the walls of the iconic Diocletian’s Palace. There are also many museums, churches and other archaeological sites of interest in Split. Our friendly tour guide will take you on a tour, that includes a walk through the Diocletian’s Palace.

It is time to say farewell to all your new friends after breakfast after a memorable trip. (B)